Table of Contents
OARC SOTA Activity Day - 29th June 2024
Introduction
This came about originally because Mark (2M0IIG) wanted an RSGB Brickworks point for organising a club meeting or event. He toyed with a few ideas but it seemed like the easiest thing to do was to arrange a Summits on the Air day for those of us who like to do such things. It was easier than arranging a detailed programme for an evening activity and any tuition required. After completing this in 2022 & 2023 we're doing it again in 2024!
The idea is that a bunch of OARCers will all just pile up to the top of some SOTA peaks and try to contact each other on the bands, as well as talking to other chasers and hopefully promoting OARC to the wider amateur radio community. We’ll have an S2S party, meaning “summit-to-summit” - extra points are scored for these kinds of contacts.
Please try and promote OARC on the air, but please also don’t spam folk with it. Mostly try and have fun and score some lovely points! If you’re an OARC member and you want to take part just edit the wiki and stick yourself on the list. If you don’t have access let me know on Discord and I can add you myself.
Mark - 2M0IIG
- Date: 29th June 2024.
- Time: Aim to arrive on peaks at around 11am UTC/12pm U.K. and operate for a few hours at least on all bands.
- Bands and Modes: The usual ones: 2M, 10M, 12M, 15M, 17M, 20M, 40M depending on individual activator and gear. If people want to do exotic bands/data modes or anything else that is also absolutely fine!
- Choose a summit: The SOTLAS website is useful to see what summits are located near you. We’ll have an interactive map linked here soon so you can see everyone else (also embedded at the bottom of the page).
- Post an alert on SOTAWatch: If you post your trip itinerary in advance on SOTAWatch it will let folk prepare for it and be waiting for you when you get set up on your summit. See the Activity Plan link below for more details.
- Message Chris MM0UHR on discord so he can update the map below
More Information
The links below contain some useful information on how to plan for your visit and what equipment to bring, plus advice on scoring and logging and how to document your day in a pleasing and informative manner.
- What should I take? - if this is your first time doing SOTA (or you’re returning after a time away) have a read of this for some help on what to bring. You’ll find info on radios and antennas, plus a section on power. There’s also a link to some info on PPE for the day.
- Activity plan for the day - some guidance on how to make things work well with so many stations out and about, as well as info on how to make sure you get lots of QSOs. If you want to borrow a club callsign then that’s in here too.
- SOTA Exchange, Scoring and Logging - if you plan on logging your QSOs for valuable SOTA points these tips will get you started. You’ll also find out information on what details you need to exchange during a SOTA QSO.
- Writing an Activation Report - document your day by writing about your trip. Photos are encouraged!
Planned Activations
Add your name to the wiki to mark your intentions for the day here.
| Name/Callsign | Summit Name | Summit Ref | Bands/Modes Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris MM0UHR | Cairnpapple Hill | GM/SS-254 | 433-fm, 145-fm, 40m-SSB |
| Rich M7GET | Leith Hill | G/SE-002 | 433-fm, maybe a little 145-fm |
| Steve M1SDH/P | Long Knoll | G/SC-007 | 433-fm, 145-fm, 40m-SSB, 20m-SSB |
| Simon M0DPF | Ros Castle | G/SB-009 | 145-fm, 14-FT8 |
| Mark 2M0IIG | North Berwick Law | GM/SS-280 | 145-fm, 433-fm, 433-dv(?) |
| Ian M0TRT | Win Green | G/SC-008 | 145/433-FM, 20/40 SSB |
| Nick G5RSD | Gun | G/SP-013 | 20/40 SSB |